//------------------------------// // A Visit from Friends // Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero // by That_Random_Pony //------------------------------// King Draco anxiously paced aboard the carrier dragon, two Signa escorts flanking either side of him. Aboard the carrier dragon were two of his personal guards. He muttered constantly to himself, unable to keep still, even as the castle came into view. The courtyard was cleared as the massive dragon landed, the king leaping down immediately and practically running into the castle. He went straight through the throne room, which was empty, and made a dash for the medical wing. The Solar guards directed him towards his daughter's room, which he hurried towards. He even began to fly through the halls to reach the medical room. Standing outside were the alicorn sisters and the Elements of Harmony. They stepped aside as the dragon king walked in, slowing as he approached his daughter. Urishana nodded in respect to him, stepping to the side as he went to his daughter's side. He hugged her gently, nuzzling her cheek lovingly. "It's good to see you, Father," Ember laughed softly. He chuckled and moved back, holding her claws. "And it's good to see you as well," he smiled. He glanced down to her belly, noticing the slight growth. "How long have you carried it?" "Nearly a year and a half," Ember sighed, fiddling with her father's claws. "It won't be like other births, I've heard. What with Draco being a Loki'irian and all." "Do we have any idea how it will be?" King Drago asked Urishana. The healer shook her head softly. "In every case, we've been unable to know how exactly the child will be born," Urishana told them. "Whether our Loki'irian DNA alters the birth or allows a natural one is very unclear. We've had reports of both, and so we often wait until the final month to determine it. But we opt to waiting for the actual birth… or the laying of the egg for your daughter." The ponies outside walked in, and Urishana excused herself to give them a moment. "Have you thought of a name yet?" Celestia asked, truly excited her son was about to start a family. Ember shook her head. "Not yet," she smiled. "I'm not sure I should name it now…" "What about Draco Jr.! Draco II? Ooh! Drake! How about it, huh?!" Pinkie squealed. "Ooh, this is so exciting! We're gonna be like aunts! Right, girls?" "Totally," Rainbow nodded. "I can teach the squirt how to fly as awesome as me." "Okay, okay, Rainbow," Twilight laughed. "I'm sure Ember's got that covered." "Ah wonder what the little dragon's gonna look like," Applejack said. "What do you think?" Ember shrugged. "It's very unclear, Applejack. No dragon has a child with similar scales." "Whatever colors it is, I'm sure I can make something that suits it perfectly!" Rarity clapped excitedly. "I'm sure it's going to be just adorable," Fluttershy smiled. "And I'm sure Draco will love whatever you decide to name it." "Of course he will," Rainbow chuckled. "He's gonna be a dad! What'd he say when you told him?" "It must have been quite a surprise for him, I'll bet!" Rarity commented. Ember scratched the back of her head as she chuckled nervously. "Draco doesn't know." Their jaws dropped, especially Rarity's. "What?!" "He's the DAD!" Pinkie shouted. "This is the bestest, most wonderful thing that could ever happen for you too!" "It most certainly is!" Rarity chimed in. "You're starting a family together! You need to tell him!" "Girls," Celestia said loudly. They smiled nervously as she sighed. "I think I know why you want to keep this from him." Ember looked at her lover's mother with a look of permission, laying down as she felt herself tire some. "It may be a wonderful thing for him… but it's a distraction," Celestia sighed. Ember nodded, reminding them all that Draco was still training. "He cannot afford to worry about his own child's birth," Luna added. "He has just half a year left. Now would not be the best time." They nodded in understanding, including King Draco. "Have you heard from him?" He asked his daughter. "No. I… haven't heard from Moon either." She looked to Fluttershy, who nodded softly. Rainbow put a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her, some of the others doing their best as well. "I'm sure he's doing just fine." "I hope so," she murmured. "I just worry what they'll do when they come back." "They're still going to fight. And I know that if Draco doesn't stop, Moon won't either. They'll be safe." Ember turned to the alicorn sisters and nodded firmly. "They'll watch each other like brothers and make sure they come back together." The girls nodded, and each of the alicorn mothers did as well. "They'll make it," King Draco assured her. "I know they will." Ember had been assuring herself over and over, knowing deep in her heart that Draco would fight to the death for whatever he believed in. He was facing trillions of Arthanians with a mere fraction of that army, meaning he would have to be stronger and more committed than anything he's ever devoted himself to. He'd have to fight with more devotion than he had for revenge. For peace. He had to be more devoted to the cause than he was to her. Then… and only then… would she and Draco be together. And she knew that much. "We'll just have to wait and see." "Alright, alright!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping over to Ember's side. "Sheesh! You guys are acting so glum! Like some bad author trying to ruin the fact that Ember's pregnant! We should all be smiling! Come on, is EVERYPONY forgetting about the baby shower?!" "A… baby shower?" Ember questioned. "Yeah! Y'know, having a party way before the baby's born?" Rainbow laughed. "For all we know she could be having it a month from now," Twilight voiced her concern. "An even better reason to have it sooner!" Rarity chimed. "Oh, we'll all get gifts! Pinkie Pie and I could arrange everything for you! It'll be magnificent!" "Yeah! We're gonna have an awesome baby shower!" Pinkie cheered. "It'd be better if we knew what it was but it's even more exciting to wait! This is gonna be so amazing I can't wait!"